One gold short of the Olympic medal collection, one win away from the LPGA Hall of Fame, Lydia Ko pondered what it would be like to knock out both at the same time and said when she arrived, “It would be a hell of a way… | #Paris2024 @manilabulletin https://t.co/p27jXUGhOW
— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) August 12, 2024
Lydia Ko from New Zealand has once again made history, securing the gold medal in women’s golf at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This achievement highlights her position as the most successful golfer ever to have participated in Olympic events, regardless of gender. By winning this accolade, she consolidates her selection of medals won during previous games: a bronze at Tokyo 2020 and a silver at Rio 2016, complementing this latest victory perfectly.
Lydia Ko’s Historic Gold Secures Olympic Legacy
On August 10th, Lydia Ko‘s victory at Le Golf National was the pinnacle of her career. Her unblemished performance over four days and 72 holes earned her a gold medal with an impressive score of 10 under par. Even though Esther Henseleit from Germany won silver, she trailed behind by two strokes compared to Ko’s lead position. When reflecting on this historic feat, Ko amusingly said that someone suggested getting “the whole collection of steak knives” to describe it all.
This gold medal also marked a significant milestone for Ko beyond the Olympics. It earned her the final point needed to be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame, making her the youngest and the first Kiwi to receive this honour at just 27 years old. “To be holding gold right now, it’s crazy. I can’t believe it,” Ko shared, expressing her disbelief and joy at the culmination of her Olympic journey.
Overcoming Challenges on the Way to Victory
Despite facing challenges such as a double bogey on the 15th hole during the ultimate round, Lydia Ko kept her composure and persisted. In golf, anything can happen. I kept my patience and didn’t lose hope,” stated Ko, highlighting the mental fortitude that led to her triumph.
Esther Henseleit’s silver marked Germany’s first-ever Olympic medal in golf, while China’s Lin Xiyu Janet took the bronze, finishing seven under par. Lin, who narrowly missed medaling in previous Olympics, was thrilled with her podium finish. “I feel great… I decided I was not going to look at the scoreboard anymore,” Lin commented on her focused approach to the final holes.
As the Olympic podium celebrated Ko, Henseleit, and Lin, each representing their nations with historic achievements, Lydia Ko’s gold medal in Paris stands out as a defining moment, not just in her career but in the legacy of Olympic golf.
